Earl Mabaquiao Earns a Chance at the Hand and Lock Prize

By Yna Ansay

Just a few months after winning the Télio Competition, Earl Mabaquiao has taken the international stage. He was chosen from among hundreds of contestants around the world as a finalist in a prestigious, London-based embroidery design competition. The fourth-year Kwantlen Polytechnic University fashion student was rewarded with another opportunity to represent Canadian fashion after endless hours of intricate detailing.

The Hand and Lock Prize competition was always a consideration. Details shown in promotional posters though, were very complicated, maybe too tedious. Every year, Kwantlen fashion faculty instructor Eileen Wheeler promoted the competition to students and provided the encouragement needed for Mabaquiao to finally proceed. A few months and countless stitches later, the recently titled “Canada’s Breakthrough Designer” claims: “I never thought I could pull off a piece like that. Now, I’m a finalist!”

This was a great opportunity to work with a company that has collaborated with internationally acclaimed designers as Hand and Lock has provided hand embellishments for elite fashion clients such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. The prize competition is held every year to promote the fusion of fashion and hand embellishments, and to embrace the quality of hand embroidery. This year’s theme was titled “Bunty’s Drawers” in dedication to Bunty Hand, one of the former leaders of Hand and Lock. Upon her passing, her drawers were opened to find exquisite trims and pieces that made her garments, accessories and textiles so special.

Mabaquiao's inspiration came from relating to the ocean and its living creatures. “Under the surface, wisdom is covered by strength.” He explains. “One really has to go inside to rediscover the beauty of embroidery. Each pebble, sand and shell is specifically placed for its own purpose, like you would on a garment to represent the beauty and strength of design. ”In support of the Filipino textile industry, traditional materials were used. A silk dress was covered with PIÑA overlay, a Philippine fabric made from pineapples. Philippine shells from recycled necklaces were embroidered underneath the overlay.

Although it was the embroidery that initially seemed to be the most intimidating, one of the biggest challenges ended up being finalizing the design. “Once you stitch it, you can’t go back.” Mabaquiao shares. “You have to keep up with the organic flow of the garment and your creativity.” Any mistake would be strenuous to fix. The embroidery alone took two months of 13-hour days and many sleepless nights to accomplish. It was so easy to get lost in the work that time just passed, and then the hands would start to hurt.

It is an honorable and humbling moment for Mabaquiao to represent Canadian Fashion again, this time on an international stage. He has gained a greater appreciation for garment creation and design through this experience as well. “Doing the hand embroidery work and taking the time to make it for someone special, I think it’s worth it.” He states. “We live in a world of fast fashion. We don’t take the time to appreciate the work that is taken into making clothes I am really glad to appreciate every single detail that comes into making a dress - every bead and every stitch that provides a beauty for the design.”

For more information on the Hand and Lock competition go to www.handembroidery.com.

For more information on the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Fashion Program go to http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/design/fashion.html.

Credits -

Photographery - Charles De Jesus

Model - Brittany-Anne Fisher

Hair and Make-up - Katt Formanova

Photo Shoot Assitant - Robbie Mata